Frontier technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), are projected to become some of the most transformative technologies in human history. However, it also bears known risks, like further discriminating against underrepresented or disenfranchised communities; and both the risks and benefits are often unevenly distributed.There is an untapped wealth of knowledge and perspectives that have tremendous potential for guiding technological revolution on a human-complementary path. Identifying trends across these dimensions provides insights that inform decision-making by policymakers and developers, and so it is a worthy challenge to pursue.

This Background Report provides detailed rationales for many of the design choices and recommendations made in “The Framework for National Dialogues on Frontier Technologies,” which we hope you will read and use for holding consultations that can gather perspectives from the Global South on these technologies. It outlines the collaboration with UNDP Accelerator Labs in Morocco and Paraguay in March 2024 for piloting to test the methodology, using AI as the frontier technology of examination.

The Report acts as a supplement describing the intellectual journey taken to reach the final Framework.

The Report and Framework are part of the Capstone Workshop project with the Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs Network.